Olivia Rodrigo Accepts Woman of the Year at 2022 Billboard Women In Music Event

On Wednesday (March 2), Billboard’s 2022 Women In Music event took over the YouTube Theatre in Inglewood, Calif., honouring powerful female artists – from Olivia Rodrigo to Doja Cat and Saweetie.

After opening the event with a performance of her hit Deja Vu, Olivia Rodrigo was honoured with Billboard’s 2022 Woman of the Year award.

 

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This is so cool. First of all, I want to thank Sheryl for being here today. Sheryl, I am such a massive fan of you and your songwriting and I’m so grateful that you’re here, it really means the world. I want to congratulate all of the other amazing nominees tonight: your artistry and work is so amazing and I’m in complete awe of all of you and so, so inspired. Thank you Billboard, it’s such a huge honor to be named the Woman of the Year. So many surreal moments have happened over the course of this incredible past year and this is most definitely one of them, so thank you.

Not a day goes by where I don’t think about how lucky I am to get to call this my job. I’ve been writing songs since I was so young, and it’s absolutely my favorite thing to do and such an emotional outlet for me. What I love most about songwriting is its ability to perfectly capture how I feel better than anything I could have said in a conversation. Songwriting has always been everything to me, so for people to connect with my music is beyond a dream come true and thank you so much.

It’s not always easy being a young woman in the music industry but I found so much strength from the female songwriters and artists who have come before me and paved the way and opened doors for so many young women like me. And that’s what’s so amazing about this event: every woman here today is working to break down those barriers and change the narrative and support each other and I’m so inspired by all the incredible women in this room. And I want to thank you all for your support. I am supporting all of you.

And I want to say to all the young girls out there who are writing songs every day in their journals on their bedroom floors, I’m constantly moved by your vulnerability and your creativity and bravery and I promise everyone here today is working to make this world and this industry a better place for you. Lastly, I want to thank my team, my amazing team and my label Interscope and Geffen, and my amazing collaborator Dan Nigro. I could not have done it without you guys. And of course, thank you to all of the strong, smart, kind women I’m lucky to work with and call my friends. I look up to all of you so much. Thank you guys, I love you so much, have a great night.

Julian Holguin, president of Billboard said in a statement, “Billboard’s Women in Music is an annual opportunity for us to celebrate undeniably influential women from across the industry.  From Doja Cat to Karol G, Saweetie and Bonnie Raitt, we couldn’t be more thrilled to honor this diverse group of women pushing limits and breaking down boundaries with a show-stopping live event, and for the first time, invite fans to join in on the celebration in-person.”

 

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Hannah Karp, Billboard‘s editorial director, added, “We are once again thrilled to recognize a diverse group of incredibly powerful women driving the music business and shaping pop culture. From legendary acts to those just beginning to make a name for themselves, these are all women pushing the envelope and inspiring fans around the world with their musicality, determination, attitude and style.  We are thrilled to bring these influencers together for a night of incredible performances and inspiring conversation about the future of music.”

 

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Ciara, who was named Woman of the Year in 2009, hosted the event this year.  Other Billboard 2022 honourees included:

H.E.R. – Impact Award

Golnar Khosrowshahi – Executive of the Year Award recipient

Doja Cat – Powerhouse Award

Bonnie Raitt- Icon Award

Gabby Barrett – Rising Star Award

Karol G – Rule Breaker Award

Phoebe Bridgers – Trailblazer Award

Saweetie – Game Changer Award

Summer Walker – Chart Breaker Award

Check out additional performances and appearances below.